Browsing the web

Browsing the web: A B1 French Lesson Overview

This lesson focuses on vocabulary and expressions related to browsing the internet in everyday contexts. It is designed for B1 level learners who want to improve their ability to discuss online activities, navigate websites, and understand common web-related terms in French.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

• Naviguer sur le web — to browse the web
• Un site web — a website
• Un moteur de recherche — a search engine
• Cliquer sur un lien — to click on a link
• Faire défiler — to scroll
• Télécharger — to download
• Une page d’accueil — homepage
• Un onglet — a tab
• Le fil d’actualité — the news feed (common on social media)
• Mettre en favori — to bookmark

Lesson Content Highlights

The lesson covers essential verbs and nouns used when interacting with web browsers and online platforms. It includes instructions on how to describe routine internet activities, such as searching for information, reading articles, watching videos, and participating in forums or social media.

You will learn to form sentences like:

• "Je navigue sur différents sites pour trouver des informations." (I browse different sites to find information.)
• "Cliquez sur ce lien pour accéder à la page d’accueil." (Click on this link to access the homepage.)
• "J’ai téléchargé un nouveau document hier." (I downloaded a new document yesterday.)

Differences Between English and French Web Vocabulary

While many French web terms come from English, some have distinct expressions or nuances. For example, in French, "naviguer sur le web" corresponds broadly to "browsing the web" in English but literally means "to navigate on the web." Additionally, the word "un onglet" translates directly to "a tab," a familiar concept in both languages but used frequently in French web navigation vocabulary.

Also, phrases like "mettre en favori" equate to "bookmarking" in English, emphasizing the user action of saving links for easy return. These expressions will help you sound more natural when discussing online activities in French.